Vallejo Admirals win 2014 season opener

Rome wasn't built in a day but independent professional baseball teams are seemingly always being rebuilt.

The rebuilt Vallejo Admirals made their 2014 debut a successful one, beating the Pittsburg Mettle, 7-2, on Tuesday before a lively crowd of about 500 fans at Wilson Park.

The Admirals built a 6-0 lead after two innings in the Pacific Association opener for both teams.

Designated hitter Marshall McDonald cracked a three-run homer to left-center with two outs to highlight the four-run second inning.

McDonald played for manager Gary Templeton II with the Hawaii Stars last season.

"I was down 0-2 early in the count and I worked it back to 1-2, then he threw an off-speed pitch and I hit it out," McDonald said.

Vallejo starting pitcher Mario Alvarez, who pitched in Triple-A for the Dodgers' organization, was as good as advertised.

Alvarez worked seven solid innings, scattering seven hits and allowing just one run. Pittsburg hit into three double plays in the first three innings.

Before the game, new Admirals owner Bob Young greeted fans near the main gate. Wilson Park featured a most festive atmosphere than a year ago. There was opening-day-like bunting around the stadium, large photos of current players and coaches and a "Legends of Vallejo Baseball" wall featuring Vallejo-born players like Bill Buckner and CC Sabathia. A sort of anti-mascot, "Stinky Le Feet" appeared on the field in the later innings and entertained the fans.

Young purchased the franchise in March after owning the Hawaii Stars and Maui Warriors last season.

"It's tough when you start out in March," Young said. "You have less than 90 days to organize staff, cell sponsors and assemble a team."

Young said he would loved to have had a full house but noted that the team is still building fans in the community.

"The business model and projections are modest," he said. "We're hoping to eventually have 700 to 800 fans per game. Just because you have a business, it doesn't mean people are going to come. We have to prove ourselves and that if we do present a quality product, people will come."

Templeton's team was very aggressive on the base paths in the opener. Before McDonald's three-run blast, the Admirals executed a double steal with Jordan Hinshaw and Carlos Martinez stealing second and third.

Tillman Pugh, who reached base three times, also stole third base in the eighth inning and quickly scored on Martinez's sacrifice fly.

Vallejo first baseman Nick Boggun had a big debut. Boggun went 2-for-4 with two doubles and reached base three times. Boggun drove in Pugh with a booming double in the first inning to give Vallejo a 1-0 lead. Pittsburg starter Tyler Green then walked three straight batters, including Brandon Williams to force in a run. Overall, Mettle's pitching staff combined to walk 10 batters.

Notes: Former big leaguer Aaron Miles started for Pittsburg at second base and went 2-for-4. ... Ex-Admiral Justin James started in center field for the Mettle and was 2-for-4. ... Today's second game of the series today will start at 7:07 p.m. with Javier Machuca expected to get the call on the mound.